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TALENTED shooter Jemma Toms has helped England to a silver medal at the Junior International at Bisley.

Jemma, 18, of Ashey, has only been shooting competitively for eight months and this event — featuring teams from all the home nations as well as Germany and South Africa — was only her fourth major competition.

But she held her nerve and her scores, with Amelia Dyer and Katie Gleeson, earned England silver in the 10m air rifle event.

Individually, Jemma, who works at Pertemps, came tenth in the main 10m air rifle event, missing out on a place in the final by just 1.6 points.

The next day, there was a grand prix event (a straight final where everyone has a chance at gold), where she finished fifth.

"Considering I’ve not been competing very long I was happy with how it went and to win a team silver was great," she said. "It was ideal preparation for the Island Games next year — competing against other nations in unfamiliar surroundings and having to adjust to that. Now I look back I know I had a lot of nerves but I’ll be better prepared next time."

Jemma’s training with the Team England National Shooting Academy continues this weekend, when head coach Steve Downes visits the Island to oversee her progress.